Joanne Hynes: The modern muse bringing haute couture to Dunnes Stores

Joanne Hynes has done the unthinkable: given high street shoppers with a couture state of mind a space to play in. Esther N McCarthy sits down with one of her heroes

Joanne Hynes: entertained some Esther N. McCarthy fangirling during the writing of this piece. Picture: Emily Quinn

They say not all heroes wear capes. This is true. Some heroes design them. It’s fair to say designer, maverick, artist, innovator, creative Joanne Hynes is a hero to me. Her superpower is creating clothes that I, and other women lucky enough to own her pieces, feel fantastic in. 

I don’t say that with frivolity or facetiousness. This woman has magic running through her veins that she somehow distils into tangible confidence. Her work matters to me. She is an icon, a queen, a visionary. And now, flying in the face of that other adage — never meet your heroes — I get to interview her in her studio in Dunnes Dublin headquarters..